Description

In this parenting tips video learn how both parents can share the responsibility of baby feeding so mom can go back to work and breastfeed.

Transcript

How to Feed your Baby When You’re a Working Mum Host: Yvette Suarez is a pediatric resident and a new mom. As a physician in training she typically spends a staggering 100 to 120 hours a week at work. If any mother could use lack of time as an excuse for giving up breastfeeding Yvette could but she says giving it up was never an option. Yvette Suarez: You know, knowing what I know, I know how immune system really doesn’t pick up at least to three or six months and that’s what I can give to her and to make sure that she’s safe specially when I need to be at work. Host: After giving birth Yvette stayed home with daughter Eliza for six weeks. She could have taken more time but felt she needed to stay on track with her residency. Yvette Suarez: It’s kind of important to go back to work and try the transition between being a mother and working. So I think six weeks was okay, so it’s nice to have more time but it worked out fine. Host: Yvette’s husband Anil is an emergency room physician. So he’s schedule is equally hectic. Still he plays a critical role in helping mom manage her breast feeding. Yvette Suarez: I think he play a lot of time and obviously I couldn’t have done without his support, when he comes home and he helps me set everything up and helps get the bottle ready and helps wash my pumping equipment and its really been an ideal. And on one call he’s doing the one that’s stay overnight and needs to feed her. Host: Breast pumps are reliable machines with high quality plastic parts that can be easily detached and washed. Joan Meek: Breastfeeding father has a very important role to play as well. He may not be the one that’s directly feeding the baby but he’s supporting them and he can do lots of other things with the baby to give them on a little break. But attitudes is probably the most key thing that he brings to the whole scenario I being supportive and recognizing that this is his baby and he wants his baby as healthy as possible. Host: Today in fact on one of his rare days off Anil is able to bring Eliza in to see mom at work. So instead of using a breast pump during her break, Yvette can breastfeed Eliza directly. Yvette Suarez: I don’t get back to her very quickly but when she comes in she definitely lights up my day. And being able to come in and even feed and play with her makes a difference. Host: Many moms worried that bringing breastfeeding or breast pumping into the work place will open them up to uncomfortable comments or criticisms from coworkers. Joan Meek: The moms have to really do a lot of education because there may not be a breastfeeding culture there and they may not understand how important this is for the baby and how important it is to the mom as well. Susan Lapinski: Mothers who breastfeed tell us that working mother that they really that relaxed sense of time that they require. To be able to pump milk during the day, they need the understanding of their boss. They need the understanding of their coworkers. Because really there are so many benefits when they make this part of a moms day. Host: Breastfeeding has big health benefits for baby. From fewer ear infections and digestive problems now, to a lower incidents of diseases like diabetes and leukemia later in life, it also offers health benefits for mom, including a reduced risk of developing certain cancers and faster weight loss while she’s breastfeeding. And because both mom and baby are healthier breast feeding also leads to a lower cost in terms of doctor’s visits, prescriptions and time lost from work. Also because all mom need is herself to feed her baby, there are smaller grocery bills and less environmental waste when she ops for breast milk over formula and. Joan Meek: Various show that that employed breastfeeding mothers are actually quite productive. They tend to work you know extra hard to make sure that they’re meeting the standards that they’re doing everything they need to do, so they actually are very good employees. Host: Good employees and good moms, thanks and part to good husbands. Anil helps make breastfeeding possible for Yvette. Joan Meek: You’re a happy breastfeed baby, right? Yes, you are. Yvette Suarez: It just seems like you’re always in a rush with a new born. And there’s never enough time for anything its not even enough time for yourself. So, there are times that he would even take her out for a walk and let me finally have a shower and some time to relax. And, so I mean husbands take—they take a large part and I think they really should be part of this. I don’t think it takes away from a father that mother breastfeeds her child.